The Five Minute Interview with Will Matterson, Business Development Manager, Bridge Invest

By Tony Sanchez 11th June 2019

Bridge Invest is a principle lender who provide smart, property-backed bridging to a range of borrowers. They pride themselves on giving fast decisions which they always deliver on. Bridge Invest have a simple model with no red tape, just fast and flexible funding that you can count on.

We speak to business development manager, Will Matterson:

What is the best thing about being in the bridging finance business?

It’s a cliché I know, but the speed this industry works at and that no two cases are the same is a particular highlight.

The nature of our industry is ever evolving which makes it exciting for a lender because we are always adapting to ever changing market conditions.

Whether through lower rates, new products etc, so whilst everyone always says the same thing, I think it’s a unique trait of our industry and helps keep everything fresh for brokers and lenders alike.

What keeps you focused?

Knowing that if I’m not working hard enough to provide a solution to the brokers and borrowers then someone else most certainly will be.

Furthermore, it is incredibly fulfilling to help a borrower begin or continue their property investment journey and assist wherever possible throughout the duration of their loan.

What qualities do you look for in your employees or colleagues?

Someone that I can sit next to all day every day and still enjoy hanging out with at the pub on the weekend, it helps if are a fan of football.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Definitely an optimist, being pessimistic won’t get you very far.

What did you want to be as a child?

An adult.

What will be the greatest challenge facing the bridging finance industry in the coming months?

The past few years has seen an overcrowding of the sector, the market at some point in the next year or so will need to consolidate.

This is either by companies unfortunately closing their doors for whatever reason or by the larger shops buying up market share.

As the market becomes tighter, we see more competition for business, whether that is by rate chasing or by increasing risk through higher LTVs.

This proposition, whilst having its place in this market, needs to be managed carefully as some inexperienced borrowers might not understand fully the risks of gearing their property portfolios up to this level.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My friends would probably tell you that I crack myself up, but I just enjoy having a laugh with my friends.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

I don’t dread Mondays; I dread the tube. Mondays are just slightly worse because of the unhappy people commuting who don’t enjoy their job like I do.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’m a foodie. I would love the ability to eat whatever I wanted and not adversely affect my health, given I already eat way too many office biscuits.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

I should probably say my family back home in Australia, but in truth I’d love to have dinner with George R.R. Martin to see if the Game of Thrones ended the same as how the books will end and when they will finally be released.